Sussex food and drink awards shortlist revealed

Launch of the Food and Drinks Awards at Jeremy's Restaurant at Borde Hill Gardens - SUS-140807-123552001

Published:14:57Updated:17:10Wednesday 09 July 2014

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Food and drink businesses from the county have been served up the news that they are in with a shout of winning Sussex’s tastiest awards.

Scores of industry leaders gathered this week at the new Big Reveal event held at Jeremy’s Restaurant at Borde Hill Gardens near Haywards Heath to hear the 65 finalists announced in the Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2014/15.

The event where firms found out if they were nominees was held at Jeremy’s Restaurant, winner of the Best Sussex Eating Experience 2013/14, and many farmers, butchers, chefs, market organisers, shop keepers, brewers and vintners from the far reaches of East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove were in attendance.

Paula Seager, co-director of Natural Partnerships CIC, which runs the awards, said: “Now in their ninth year, these unique awards are all about boosting the market for Sussex produce and letting people in the county know about the fantastic food and drink grown and made in Sussex,

as well as the many great restaurants, pubs, cafes and food shops where it can be bought and enjoyed,”

Hosting the Big Reveal event was BBC Sussex radio presenter, Neil Pringle who congratulated all the finalists in this year’s awards. The competition is set to be very tough this year with an impressive line up of candidates including lots of new names, as well as some familiar ones, who have made it through as a finalist.

Paula said: “The quality is consistently high in this competition and we are urging people to try out the produce on the finalists list and vote for their favourites to win at www.sussexfoodawards.biz. Voting is open until September 26 and every vote counts.

“Aside from receiving their trophies, Grand Finalists get free tickets to THE Sussex foodie event of the year, the Sussex Food & Drink Awards Banquet, which is a superb seven-course banquet created entirely from local produce, to be held on January 29 2015 - but most importantly, the winners get huge respect and recognition.”

Sussex Food and Drink Awards 2014/15 Finalists:

Sussex Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by The Southern Cooperative

Beal’s Farm Charcuterie, Barcombe, East Sussex

Caroline’s Dairy, Sidlesham

Cocoa Loco, West Grinstead

Love Food, Worthing

Mud Foods, Midhurst

Nell Ball Farm Foods, Plaistow

Ouse Valley Foods, Piltdown

Piglet’s Pantry, Worthing

Sussex Gold, Partridge Green

The Hungry Guest Bakery, Chichester

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year sponsored by the Sussex Food Network

Ambriel Sparkling (Redfold Vineyards), Nutbourne

Blackdown Spirits, Lurgashall

Gran Stead’s Ginger, Portslade, East Sussex

Hastings Brewery, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex

Highdown Vineyard, Ferring

Kings Beer, Horsham

Langham Brewery, Lodsworth

Plumpton College Winery, Plumpton, East Sussex

Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling, East Sussex

Wobblegate, Bolney

Sussex Food Shop of the Year sponsored by Veaseys and Cheese Please

Charlie’s Farm Shop, Bury

Crates Local, Horsham

Hisbe, Brighton

Rushfields Farm Shop, Poynings

Rye Delie, Rye, East Sussex

Tablehurst Farm Shop, Forest Row, East Sussex

Tottingworth Farm Shop, Heathfield

Townings Farm Shop, North Chailey, East Sussex

Sussex Butcher of the Year sponsored by Bodiam Food School and Natural Farms